Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-IV-TR (2000), the “essential feature” of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is “…the transient recurrence of disturbances in perception that are reminiscent of those experienced during one or more earlier Hallucinogen Intoxications.”

Fast Facts:

People can develop HPPD after only 1 use of a hallucinogenic substance.

HPPD is most typically caused by the use of LSD.

About 1 in 50,000 hallucinogen users develop HPPD.

About 59% of people with HPPD see geometric patterns on blank surfaces like walls. Almost as many, see false movements of still objects, usually in the peripheral visual fields. Others reports flashes of light, trailing images behind moving objects, intensified colors, and afterimagery.

Most people with HPPD recover within a month or two after last use, a few take as long as a year.

Natural Treatments:

Abstinence from using hallucinogens, until the effects from HPPD are gone, is quite effective.

Valerian Root may help alleviate symptoms because it has similar effects to the benzodiazepines that are often prescribed by doctors for HPPD. It can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores and health food stores.

Sun glasses may help alleviate symptoms. According to John Halpern, “Most people with HPPD describe symptom activation or maddeningly increased intensity of symptoms when they are in bright light… especially when changing from a dark environment to a bright one. And if one wears sunglasses, what happens? A reduction or prevention of HPPD symptoms! Does that mean wearing sunglasses into a house… or getting night-time sunglasses for driving (oncoming headlights can be quite the trigger): in short, YES. Sunglasses definitely are helpful.”

Meditation, yoga, exercise, and talking about the experience with supportive and knowledgeable people may also be helpful.

2 comments

It’s weird that this is actually something caused by Hallucinogens, i’ve actually had those symptoms since i was a child.

I used to get scared of what i would see but eventually i just got used to it. If i stare into an object for a little while i can definitely see figures start to show up.

I can also see some of these symptoms when i look at other people, it has always helped me analyze other people and helped my sense of perception in regards to dealing with those people. Some people seem to emit different colors.

I could never explain why i would see these things…perhaps that is something natural in terms of spirituality that hallucinogens help unlock?

I have found that the best way to avoid the uncomfortable effects of taking any drug is to completely abstain from taking it.

I still do see geometric patterns in concrete even after I have abstaied from LSD for approximately 20 years. If given the choice, l would smoke methamphetamine and crack and shoot up heroin instead of taking a single hit of LSD . I think that LSD can fry my brain permanently so I don’t take it .

LSD causes some sort of plasticity in the mind which may later become fixed during come down from the high and it can permanently turn you into a hippie , so I would recommend against using such mind plasticizing substances unwisely , especially if your children end up having to put up with you afterward.

“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen a five year old boy raise a fifty year old man!” , exclaimed Mr. P. Boone, as he entered our house . As it happened, my father had spit in my face – So I sent him to his room, closed the door and told him to stay there “until he was able to act in an acceptable manner ” . Down by the Empress Hotel , I scampered over the rocks in the old derelict fountain while hanging out with my alcoholic friend while we drank some cheap red wine from a screw cap bottle . The others were drinking in the Beaver Pub which was situated above the fountain , on Humbolt Street ; however, Ronaldson and I were not allowed in there .one time I went down to the Churchill pub on Government Street to find my father. They kicked me out. Imagine being barred from a disgusting pub like that at the age of 6 years. Do you know what it’s like for a child to feel like a complete reject from a society of degenerates ?

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